Typographical distributing mechanism



, J. R. ROGERS TYPOGRAPHICAL DITRIBUTING MECHANISM May 2 1927. 9 1,629,889

Filed Sept. 18. 1925 2 Sheet s-Sheet 1 ENTO May 24 1927. 1,629,889

JT-R. ROGERS TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTING MECHANI$M Filed Sept. 1a. 1925 2 S1 1, eets-Sheet 2 III d VENTOR Patented May 24,1921

JOHN R. noenns, or} B Boo LYn, EW. ORK,;A'SSIGNOR moqlvmnennrnnnnn imo- TYPEeoivrrnnmgnioonronnmion on NEW YORK. r a

newsman DISTRI BUT'IiVG MECHANISM.

Appncat i a iea September 18,'1f926. Sli ial No/136Q 233.

This invention relates to typographical distributing machines, suchfa-s linotype machines of the general organization --re presented in U. SE LettersPatent tofO J-Mergent'haleryNo, 436,532, wherein, circulating matrices are released from a magazine in theyord'er in whichithe'incharactersare to appear print andthen assembled in line,

the composed line transferred to the -face of a mold, the mold ifilled"withmoltenz'metal to 1 form a 's'lug' ior linotype againstisthe matrices which produce, the. type characters thereon, and. the matrices thereafter 1' 7 turned through a' distributing mechanism to the magazine' from which they started, In

model 9 ,wl1er'e matrices may be'drawn from several magazines and mixed together inthe same line, the distributingmechanism in- V eludes a gpr imary distributor which ffirst sorts the matrices aocordingtoi'jfont,and a plurality of main distributors which there after sort the matrices of. the;v individual" fonts according to"character and restore them to their proper channels'in the magazin es. NVith this type of distributingrmechr anisin, the matrices, after. fontseparatiom.

pass down "chutes. ..or tubes, *and enter-c socalled lower'distributor boxes wherein they are guided 1 upon inclined rails into: rengage ment with reclprocating -paw'ls for l QSCQPG-' inents, whlch ieecltliem one at'at me-tothe main distributors. {In. Vorder tliat" these pawls or escapements may cooperatefprop vicled in their, bottom .edgesxiwith central notches which .necessarily l'iraryin shape and depth ac'cordingto v i V dividu'al matrices; Besides. 'toxtl e cost of product'on, such notches in the-mat rices materially limit the space ordinarily other machines, such-as thoseiof the single distributor class, are excluded fromjuse on machines of the multiple distributor fclass described, "since th y do; not. haye th e quireclcentral'notches.

The present invention 1s ,intende di te-fby viate the foregoing difiicultie'sfland' co certain improvements whereby the t"ns"ar' e specified i'njthe claims. erly with the matrices the latter are "prothe thiclm'e'ss of'the; in- I equipped with? the present improvements; Fig. 2 is a detached;'p'erspective" viewi of the *escap'enlent- 3 cleariceand its supporting dlei matrices-i Or -i i fonts whether 'theyhave )'r' h"avenot the objectionable-central notches referred r-toi i To this end, each of "the lower 7 V distributor hox'esis proi ided with fan es:

1 capement devicearrange d 'preferab-ly 1 to cm operate withi'the upper ends zof 'the matrices andiirh-ieh device notfonly serves i'tsprimary 'piirpese bf'feeiliii'g the imatfriees one byf one toftheifiistributof screws, 1 bnt alsoSaGtS-" 'to accelerate-the deliveryvof theme-Masai mate ri'cejs: t the --s'crews., I the I embodiment illustnate'd; there--' are employed two coop: I 1 erati-ng *eseapement members; one being yieldablymounted and provided with a art of 1' de ending fingers which serve to. arrest the; gravitating matrices bytheir upper pro v 'j'ecting' ears; and theother a rotatable releas;-' ing' dog loperated "independentlyfof: its associate iinenrher and a ting J toldepress the matric'es out *o'f 'their arrested position iniefiect ring ftheir fseparation and escape "tothe SCI'WS;,. i v

Inffthe ac companyihg"olraiivings inventionf 'has'i floeen shown merely inf preferred form and -by Way ofa'exa'mple, and as applied the specific ztype- (of distributing; mechanism indicated. 'H owe'vel, many changes and var1atrons-Inayfbe. I11 ade ,therein and mode =of-applica tion which will still becomprised Within" its spirit,- lt isjt'o I he understood", therefore;that-thefinvention i. is :Ifot-limited to :anyspecifio form or em 7 bo 'cli-ment; eX'cept-infso tar as, siicli'rlimi-ta I: is afre-ar' elev-at-i0noi the receivin end: offla multiple d stributor showing the lower 'flclistributor {box "broken am emi 01 5 line 3+3 orrFi 1 the u per, box being showing: e-escjapement device in theact of .i i mar a; nd ,c s

- '{Fmi 5- s a de t-ail perspective View of the in r'ixfi arresting ,escapefment' m'emherg;

a sane su eessivelg '6 by the lifting -"Fig. *3 isa vertical transverse section taken casting, the inatriXlinei's 'transf. distributorbox- A where I ios f the matrices therealong. After the matrices are detached from the line, they are pre sented to the conveying screws B of the upper distributor but, before they reach the corresponding distributor bar B, they are subjected to the action of the font selecting 5 bridge Cwhich is adapted to cooperate with the lower ends of the matrices and: control their delivery according to font to the upper cr -lower distributor. The matricesX are of tl eusual construction, each being formed at its four cornerswith theprojectingears and at its upper end with distributingteeth The matrices of -one font (those delivered to the lower distributor) are formed attheir lower ends with the ordinary font notches a, while the matrices of the other font (those delivered to the upperdistributor) are without such notches or have them locatedin a different position along their bottom edges. Consequently, when the matrices are presented to the selecting bridge 0, those without the font notches are supported by said bridge at such "level that their distributing teeth so? are causedto engage the upper distributor bar Bj while those of the otherfont, due to the presence pf the notches m straddle the bridgeC and drop to a lower level so thattheir distributing teeth will avoid engagement with the upper distributor bar. These latter mat- .rices', when straddling the selecting. bridge are supported by their upper pro ecting ears upon the guide rails A and are carried along .these rails and dropped into the chute C leading downwardly to the lower distributor box D. The matrices pass by gravity through the box D wherein'they are supportedbythe inclined rails D and are. fed one by one under the control of an escapeinent into the threads of the conveying screws B? of the lower distributory whence theyare-carried' along the. associatedbar B for final wdistribution.

inafter pointed out are or may be of any well known or approved 'CODStIL1CiZlOI1,"a11(l in themselves constitute no part ofthe present invention, which is, directed primarily to an improved form of escapement for the lower distributor box D, In I the-embodiinent illustrated the improved escapen ent is arranged to cooperate with the up-per'eiidsof i ;-the'gravitatzng matrices and acts to control their passage, one at a time, into position to be picked up by the screws, irrespective .of the "presence or absence ofthe ob ect ona'ble central notches"hereinbeforeinentioned.

As-shown, the escapement comprises a matrix arresting member E and a 'ma-,

trix releasing dog E inountedadjacent each other in a su porting block D The arresting member is pivoted upon a sustaining rod or pine and is formed with 211111171961 7 projection E and a pair of depending fingers E the latter being arranged so as to engage the matrices by their upper projectingears 00 as they slide down the box rails "D A spring E interposed between descending matrices The releasing dog E is journaled in the side Walls ofthe block D as at c ,.and is formed with a longitir, dinal lip portion E It will benot ed (see Fig. 1) that the lip'E projects slightly beyond the fingers E so that, when the is turned or rotated to the position shown in Fig. 4, a matrix'ari'estedrby'c-the fingers will be engaged by the lip and pushed there-.

by down the rails: D toward the pick-up position of the distributor screws. This feature is desirable since it insures the delivery of the matrices to the screws quicker and at more regular intervals than would be the caseif gravity. alone were depended upon, as it might be, it being understood 7 that thet-hinner matrices being lighter and more liable to slight interferences thanthose of the thicker or heavier variety, are free quently delayed and hence are more aptto cause clogging and stoppage of the distributor. In order that only onematrix may be engaged at same by the dog E the arresting face ofthe fingers E is spaced from the end of the lip E a distance slightly less. than the thickness of, the thinnest mas trix. This relation of the; parts is inain- 1 tained in thepresent instance by a set screw" 7 El whichopposesthe spring E? and sustains V the arresting member against the tension 7 thereof. i p 7 In the present instance the dog E is operated from 'therocker arm A? of the lifting finger A which is, inturn actuated in the customary way by the cam B secured to screw spindles; the desired motion being imparted to said dog through the verticali ,the end of one of the upperdistributing 1 I The parts so far'described, except asheree linkE connected to tliefree end, ofacrank arnrE to onerof thejournal studs 6 .Inthis connection it'will be observed by reference to Fig.3 (that'- the two I distributors are driven in synchronismandatthe saine' .rate of speed by means of a chain F,-a s in 'dicated, or a train of gears, thelower screws being so set in relation lto the operation of i the dog E that thereceiving ends of the screw threads will be properly positioned to engage a matrixas it'freac hes the'picleup i I position.- It will also be noted that the supporting v block D is sustained. independently 9 of the box by means of a'clamping screw nism, comprising a distributor'bar and a set ofmatrix conveying screws, the combination of inclined guide means along which the matrices gravitate towardthe screws, and an 'escapement device arranged to cooperate with the upper ends of the matrices, said device comprising a pair of yieldable fingers for arresting the gravitating matrices by their upper projectingears and a rotatable releasing dog associated therewith said parts being mounted independently of eaclr other, but arranged to cooperate in effecting the escape of the matrices, one at :a time, into position to be picked up by the screws, said dog'in its upper position standing clear of the descending matrices, but acting during its downward turning movement to depress the leading matrix and hold back the fol lowing matrices, and said arresting fingers in the upperposition otthe dog serving to arrest the leading matrixin engaging relation thereto, and in the lower position of the dogbeing moved out of the way'by the clepressed matrix to permit itsescape; a

- 6 In a typographical distributing mechanism comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of inclined guide means along vwhich the matrices gravitate toward theiscrews, and an escapement devlcearranged to cooperate with the upper ends of the matricesand acting to control their passage, one at a time, into position to be picked up .by the screws, said device comprising a spring-actuated arresting member pivotally' mounted and formed with a pair of depending fingers arranged in the path of the upperproject- 'inggears of the matrices, and a releasing member rotatably mounted adjacent the arresting member and operative to depress the leading matrices in effecting their escape to the screws.

7. In a typographical distributing mechanism comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of inclined guide means alongwhich the matrices gravitate toward the screws, and an escapement device'arranged to cooperate with the upper ends of the matrices, said devicecomprising a'yieldable member-for arresting the descending matrices, a releasing member acting to depress the arrested matrices', one at a time, "out of engagement with the arresting member and adjusting means ior maintaining the'twosaid members in a predetermined relation to each other.-

8. In a typographical distributing mechanism, the combination of upper and lower dist-ribut0r each comprising a distributor bar anda set of matrix conveying screws, areciprocating finger forff'ceding thematr'ces, one at atime, to the. upper $013,016

screws, a-font separator whereby matrices of a certain font are fed to the upperd'istributor and-those of a "different font released toward the lower distributor, and an escapementdevice actuated by said reciproeating fingeritor controlling thepassage of the gravitating matrices, one. at a time,.into position to be picked upjby thelower set of screws. 7 V a 9. In atypographica'l, distributing mech- I anism, the combination, of upper and lower distributors, each comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrixlconveying screws, a reciprocating finger for feeding -the mat rices, oneat a time,'to the upper setof screws, a font separator whereby matrices of a certain [font are fed to the upper distributor andthose; of adifferent'font released to gravitate toward the lower distributor, and an "escapement device actuated by StiCl'l'BClPlOCEltlIlg finger for controlling the passage of the; gravitating matrices, one

at a time, into position to be picked up by r the lower set of screws, .said (lGVlCQCOIIlPIlS- ing a yieldable member for' arresting the gravitating matrices and a releasing member'for depressing them out of engagement with the arresting member in effecting their escape. l a

10. In a typographical distributing mechanism comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws,- the combination of inclined guideI 'means along which the matricesgravitate toward the screws and an escapement device arranged to cooperatewith the upper ends-of the matrices and acting to control theirpassage, one at a time, into position to be picked up by the screws, said device c'omprising a resilient member E formed with the depending the matrices gravitate toward the screws, 7

an escapement device arranged to cooperate withthe gravltatmg matrices and acting to control their passage, one at a time, into position tobe picked up by the screws,said

escapement device comprising a rotatable dog formed with a lip portion adapted to engage theindividual matrices and shift them endwise ineffecting theirrelease.

l2. vIn atypographical distributing mechof matrix conveying screws, the'combination of an inclined guide means along which the matricesgravitate toward the screws, an 'escapementdevice arranged to cooperate with the gravitating matrices and, acting to anism comprising a distributor bar and aset .control'their passage,l;one at V a time, into 'position'to be picked up, by" the "screws, said escapement device comprising a member for arresting the descending. matrices ands. ro-V tatable dog formed with a lip portion adapted to engage the individual matrices and shift them endwise to clear the arresting member in effecting their release. I

13, In a typographical distributing-mech-' anismcomprismga distributor bar and a'set of matrix conveylng. screws, the comb1nation of an inclined guide means along wh1ch the matrices gravitate, toward the screws,

and an escapement device arranged to'cooperate with the upper ends of the matrices and acting to control their passage, one at a time, into position to be picked up by the screws, the said'escapement device comprising a yieldable matrix arresting member and an oscillatory matrix releasing dog, said 'dog in'its upper position standing clear of the descending matrices, but acting during its downward movement to eilect the release of the leading matrix and to holdyback the following matrices, the said arrestingmember in theupper position of the dog serving to arrest the leading matrix and in the lower position of the dog being moved clear of the said matrix to permit its escape. let/ In a typographical distributing mechanismzcomprising a distributor bar and a set j of matrix conveying screws, the combination ota removable distributor-box formed with lncll nedguide rails on which the matrlces gravitatetoward the screws and an escapetheir passage, one at a time,.into position to be picked up by the screws, the said fescapement device being mounted indepeIid- Inent device arranged to cooperate with they gravitatingr matrices and acting to control entlyoftlie. distributor box so as to permit the latter to beremoved without dis-Y turbing: the escapement device or its groperating connections;

' :JOHN' oms. 7 

